Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Olmo nets two, 'wants more' in return to Barca XI

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Sunday, 03 November 2024 13:34

Dani Olmo said he wants "more" after scoring a brace in his first start since September as Barcelona beat Espanyol 3-1 in Sunday's Catalan derby at the Olympic Stadium.

Raphinha was also on target as Barça moved nine points clear at the top of the league after 11 games. Espanyol scored a late consolation through Javi Puado.

"I feel good," Olmo, who recently returned from a month-long injury layoff, told reporters. "I was really looking forward to returning and being able to help the team on the pitch. I'm back, enjoying it, playing, winning ... and I want more."

Olmo, a 60 million summer signing from RB Leipzig, now has five goals in five league appearances -- only three of which have been as a starter -- and is averaging 1.67 goals per 90 minutes in LaLiga.

The Spain international's return adds another dimension to an attack that was already finding the net regularly.

In total, Barça have now scored 40 goals in the league this season and are the only team in Europe's top five leagues to have four players on at least five goals: Robert Lewandowski (14), Raphinha (7), Lamine Yamal (5) and Olmo (5).

"We are a team with a lot of goals in it," Olmo added. "Both the forwards and the midfielders that get forward can contribute in that regard. We can play direct and we create a lot of chances."

Both Olmo's goals arrived in the first half, the first via a brilliant Yamal assist and the second from the edge of the box, with Barça coach Hansi Flick praising his goal scoring ability.

"He knows how to score goals, this was for us very important today," Flick said in his post-game news conference. "We are very happy Dani is back. Maybe he is not 100% still, but he's back and was able to start. This is also why we won this match."

Barça have now won six games in a row in all competitions, scoring at least three times on each occasion, but they lost control of the match in the second half against Espanyol.

Flick said he was happy to win his first Catalan derby in charge of the club but that the players will have to improve for the midweek Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade.

"I'm not happy of course for the second half, but I say to the team sometimes it happens," Flick added. "We lost the concentration, the tension. We made a lot of unforced errors. But it happens sometimes. Until now, the team made a good season with unbelievable performances.

"Also the first half [we were good], but not in the second half today. I accept that because we won, but on Wednesday we need another level."

The game began with a minute's silence for the more than 200 people who have lost their lives in the flooding in the east of Spain this week, which led to Valencia and Villarreal's fixtures against Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, respectively, being postponed.

Injured Barça forward Ferran Torres is from the Valencia region -- the are worst affected -- and revealed in an Instagram post he did not go to Sunday's derby because he did not have the energy to attend after a difficult week.

"I totally understand that," Flick said. "It was normal, when [Torres] asked this, I said OK, of course. In this moment, there are much more important things than football and he chose that. It's normal."

Olmo added: "Maybe the games shouldn't have been played [this weekend]. I am sending all my support to those affected by [the floods] and encourage people to collaborate and help however they can."

Read 37 times

Soccer

Costa Rican club threatens FIFA suit for CWC spot

Costa Rican club threatens FIFA suit for CWC spot

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe winningest team in Costa Rica is asking FIFA for a spot in next...

Ex-Man United star Mata buys stake in San Diego

Ex-Man United star Mata buys stake in San Diego

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Spain international and World Cup winner Juan Mata has joine...

New owners seek Klopp's aid to transform Paris FC

New owners seek Klopp's aid to transform Paris FC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Arnault family, owners of the LVMH luxury empire, plan to draw...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Knicks-Spurs to have Disney alt-cast on Dec. 25

Knicks-Spurs to have Disney alt-cast on Dec. 25

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBRISTOL, Conn. -- Mickey Mouse and many of Disney's iconic characte...

Hartenstein set to make season debut for OKC

Hartenstein set to make season debut for OKC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Oklahoma City Thunder's stint without a center will end Wednesd...

Baseball

Sources: New bill seeks to protect minor leaguers

Sources: New bill seeks to protect minor leaguers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSen. Dick Durbin plans to introduce the Fair Ball Act, a bill that...

Manfred expecting Sasaki to sign after Jan. 15

Manfred expecting Sasaki to sign after Jan. 15

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- With uncertainty looming over when Japanese baseball st...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated